Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactobacillus paracasei is a probiotic bacterium commonly found in the human gut and in fermented foods. Its use for supporting or treating anxiety disorders is primarily driven by recent scientific interest in the "gut-brain axis," the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Several preclinical (animal) studies and a limited number of small human trials have investigated the potential of L. paracasei and other probiotics to modulate mood, stress response, and anxiety-like behaviors. Some of these studies report that supplementation with L. paracasei can reduce markers of stress and anxiety, possibly by influencing gut microbiota composition, reducing inflammation, and modulating neurotransmitter levels such as GABA and serotonin. For example, a few randomized controlled trials have shown improvements in self-reported anxiety symptoms in healthy adults and individuals with mild anxiety using multi-strain probiotic supplements containing L. paracasei. However, the overall quality of evidence is low to moderate due to small sample sizes, short duration, and the frequent use of combination products rather than isolated L. paracasei. There is insufficient evidence to recommend L. paracasei as a stand-alone treatment for clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders. More robust, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and understand the underlying mechanisms. Thus, while scientific interest is growing, the current evidence base is preliminary and limited.

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